Chapter V: Part 5

He seyde, “king, wel mote þou sitte,
An þine knictes mitte.
Þer y rod on my pleying,
Sone haft{er} my dobbing, 668
Y say a schip rowe
Mid wat{er}e al by flowe,
Of none londische me{n}ne,
Bote sarazines ke{n}ne, 672
To deye, for to pyne
Þe and alle þine.

“Kyng,” quoþ he, “wel þou sitte,
{ant} þine knyhtes mitte.
to day ich rod o my pleyyng,
after my dobbyng, 668
y fond a ship rowen,
in þe sound byflowen,
Mid vnlondisshe menne,
of sarazynes kenne, 672
to deþe forte pyne
þe {ant} alle þyne.

Hi gonne me assaille.
Mi swerd me nolde faille; 676
I smot he{m} alle to grunde,
Oþer ȝaf he{m} diþes wunde.
Þ{a}t heued iþe bri{n}ge
Of þe maist{er} ki{n}ge. 680
Nu is þi wile iȝolde,
King, þat þu me kniȝti woldest.”

He go{n}ne{n} me asaylen.
My swerd me ne wolde fayle; 676
Ich broute he{m} alto grunde
In one lite stounde.
Þe heued ich þe bringe
Of þe meyst{er} kinge. 680
Nou ich haue þe yolde,
Þat þu me knicte{n} wolde.”

hy gonne me asayly.
swerd me nolde fayly; 676
y smot hem alle to grounde
in a lutel stounde.
þe heued ich þe bringe
of þe maister kynge. 680
nou haue ich þe ȝolde
þat þou me knyhten woldest.”

[Sidenote: King Aylmar goes hunting.]

++A Moreȝe þo þe day gan sp{ri}nge,
Þe king him rod an hu{n}tinge. 684
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
At hom lefte ffikenhild,
Þat was þe wurste moder child. 688
Heo ferde in to bure,
To sen aue{n}t{ur}e.

++Þe day bi gan to sp{r}inge,
Þe king rod on hunti{n}gg{e}. 684
To wode he gan wende,
For to lacchen þe heynde.
Wyt hym rod fokenild,
Þat alþe werste mod{er} child. 688
And horn we{n}te in to boure,
To sen auenture.

þe day bigon to sp{ri}nge,
þe kyng rod on hontynge 684
to þe wode wyde,
ant Fykenyld bi is syde,
þat fals wes ant vntrewe,
whose him wel yknewe. 688
¶ Horn ne þohte nout him on,
ant to boure wes ygon.

[Sidenote: Horn proceeds to Rymenhild’s bower, and finds her weeping.]

Heo saȝ Rymenild sitte
Also he were of witte. 692
Heo sat on þe sunne,
Wiþ tieres al biru{n}ne.
Horn sede, “lef þinore,
Wi wepestu so sore?” 696

He fond Reymild sitte{n}de,
Sore wepende, 692
Whit so eny sonne,
Wit teres albi ronne.
He seyde, “le{m}man, þin ore,
Wy wepes þou so sore?” 696

he fond rymenild sittynde
{ant} wel sore wepynde, 692
so whyt so þe sonne,
mid terres al byronne.
Horn seide, “luef, þyn ore,
why wepest þou so sore?” 696

[Headnote: _Rymenhild tells Horn her Dream._]

[Sidenote: She tells him her dream, how a great fish broke her net.]

Heo sede, “noȝt ine wepe;
Bute ase ilay aslepe,
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
To þe se my net icaste,
{And} hit nolde noȝt ilaste.

Hye seyde, “ich nawt ne wepe,
Bote ich schal her ich slepe.
Me þoute in my metynge,
Þat ich rod on fischinge. 700
To se my net ich keste;
Ne Mict ich nowt lache.

Hue seide, “ich nout ne wepe,
ah y shal er y slepe.
me þohte o my metyng,
þat ich rod ofysshyng. 700
to see my net ycaste,
ant wel fer hit laste.

A gret fiss at þe furste,
Mi net he gan to berste. 704
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
Ihc wene þ{a}t ihc schal leose
Þe fiss þat ihc wolde cheose.” 708

A gret fys ate furste
Mi net he makede berste. 704
Þe fys me so by laucte,
Þat ich nawt ne kaucte.
Ich wene ich schal forlese
Þe fys þat ich wolde chese.” 708

a gret fyssħ at þe ferste
my net made berste. 704
þ{a}t fyssħ me so bycahte,
þ{a}t y nout ne lahte.
y wene y shal forleose
þe fyssħ þ{a}t y wolde cheose.” 708

[Sidenote: Horn comforts her.]

¶ “Crist,” q{ua}þ horn, “{and} seint steuene,
Turne þine sweuene.
Ne schal iþe biswike,
Ne do þ{a}t þe mislike. 712

“God and seynte steuene,”
Qwad horn, “terne þi sweuene.
Ne shal ich neu{er}e swike,
Ne do þat þe mis like. 712

¶ “C{ri}st {ant} seinte steuene,”
quoþ horn, “areche þy sweuene.
no shal y þe byswyke,
ne do þat þe mis lyke. 712

[Sidenote: Horn plights his troth to Rymenhild, but both weep and forebode evil from the dream.]

I schal me make þinowe,
To holden {and} to knowe,
For eurech oþ{er}e wiȝte;
{And} þarto mi treuþe iþe pliȝte.” 716
Muchel was þe ruþe
Þ{a}t was at þare truþe,
For Rymenhild weop ille,
{And} horn let þe tires stille. 720

Ich nime þe to my nowe,
To habben and to howe,
For euerich wyȝte;
Þarto my treuwþe ich plicte.” 716
Miche was þat rewþe
Þat was at here trewþe.
Reymyld wel stille,
And horn let teres spille. 720

ich take þe myn owe,
to holde {ant} eke to knowe,
for eueruch oþer wyhte;
þerto my trouþe y plyhte.” 716
wel muche was þe reuþe
þ{a}t wes at þilke treuþe.
rymenild wep wel ylle,
ant horn let terres stille. 720

“Le{m}ma{n},” q{ua}þ he, “dere,
Þu schalt more ihere.
Þi sweuen schal wende,
Oþer sum Man schal vs schende. 724
Þe fiss þ{a}t brak þe lyne,
Ywis he doþ us pine.
Þ{a}t schal don vs tene
{And} wurþ wel sone isene.” 728

He seyde, “le{m}ma{n} dere,
Þou schalt more here.
Þy sweuene ich schal schende. 724
[_No gap in MS._ . . . . . . . . . .]
Þe fis þat brac þi seyne,
Hy wis hyt was som ble[y]ne
Þat schal us do som tene;
Hy wis hyt worþ hy sene.” 728

“Lemmon,” quoþ he, “dere,
þou shalt more yhere.
þy sweuen shal wende;
summon vs wole shende. 724
þat fyssħ þ{a}t brac þy net,
ywis it is sumwet
þ{a}t wol vs do sum teone;
ywys hit worþ ysene.” 728

[Headnote: _Fykenhild calumniates Horn._]

[Sidenote: Fykenhild tells the king that Horn is plotting to kill him and to marry Rymenhild.]

¶ Aylmar rod bi sture,
{And} horn lai i{n} bure.
Fykenhild hadde enuye
{And} sede þes folye:-- 732
“Aylmar, ihc þe warne,
Horn þe wule berne.
Ihc herde whar he sede,
{And} his swerd forþ leide, 736
To bringe þe of lyue,
And take Rymenhild to wyue.

Þe king rod bi his toure,
And horn was in þe boure.
Fykenyld hadde envie,
An seyde hise folye:-- 732
“Aylm{er}e, king, ich wole warne,
Horn chil þe wile berne.
Ich herde qware he seyde,
And his swerd leyde, 736
To bringe þe of liue,
And take rimenyld to wiue.

¶ Aylmer rod by stoure,
ant horn wes yne boure.
Fykenild hade enuye
{ant} seyde þeose folye:-- 732
“Aylmer, ich þe werne,
horn þe wole forberne.
Ich herde wher he seyde,
ant his suerd he leyde, 736
to brynge þe of lyue
ant take rymenyld to wyue.

He liþ in bure,
Vnder cou{er}ture, 740
By Ryme{n}hild, þi doȝt{er};
{And} so he doþ wel ofte.
And þider þu go al riȝt;
Þer þu him finde miȝt. 744

Nou he hys in boure,
Al hond{er} cou{er}ture, 740
By reymyld, þi dout{er};
And so he hys wel oft{er}.
Ich rede þat þu wende;
Þer þu myct him schende. 744

[Sidenote: [leaf 87, back]]
He Lyht nou in Boure,
vnder couertoure, 740
by rymenyld, þy dohter;
ant so he doþ wel ofte.
[_No gap in MS._ . .
. . . . . . . . . .]

Þu do him vt of londe,
Oþ{er} he doþ þe schonde.”
¶ Aylmar aȝen gan turne,
Wel Modi {and} wel Murne. 748
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]

Do him out of þi londe,
Her do more schonde.”
Aylm{er} king him gan torne,
Vel mody and wel Mourne. 748
To bour{e} he gan ȝerne,
Durst hym noma{n} werne.

do him out of londe,
er he do more shonde.”
¶ Aylmer gan hom turne,
wel mody {ant} wel sturne. 748
[_No gap in MS._ . .
. . . . . . . . . .]

[Headnote: _King Aylmar banishes Horn._]

[Sidenote: Aylmar finds Horn in Rymenhild’s embrace, and bids him leave the land at once.]

He fond horn in arme,
On Ryme{n}hilde barme. 752
“Awei vt,” he sede, “fule þeof,
Ne wurstu me neuremore leof.
Wend vt of my bure,
Wiþ muchel messauent{ur}e. 756

He fond horn wit arme,
In rimenyldes barme. 752
“He{n}ne out,” qwad aylm{er} king,
“Henne, þou foule wendling,
Out of boure flore,
Fram Reymyld, þi hore. 756

he fond horn vnder arme,
in rymenyldes barme. 752
“go out,” quoþ aylmer, þe kyng,
“Horn, þou foule fundlyng.
forþ out of boures flore,
for rymenild, þin hore. 756

Wel sone bute þu flitte,
Wiþ swerde ihc þe anhitte.
Wend ut of my londe,
Oþ{er} þu schalt haue schonde.” 760
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]

Sone bote þe flecte,
Wit swerd hy wole þe hette.
Hout of londe sone,
Here hauest þou nowt to done.” 760
Horn cam i{n} to stable,
Wel modi for þe fable.

wend out of londe sone; 759
her nast þou nout to done. 760
wel sone bote þou flette, 757
myd suert y shal þe sette.” 758
Horn eode to stable,
wel modi for þat fable.

[Transcriber’s Note:
Here and in next section, lines rearranged by editor.]

[Sidenote: Horn saddles his horse, arms himself, and then visits Rymenhild.]

¶ Horn sadelede his stede,
{And} his armes he gan sprede. 764
His brunie he gan lace,
So he scholde, in to place.
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
His swerd he gan fonge;
Nabod he noȝt to longe.

He sette sadel on stede,
With armes he hym gan schrede. 764
Hys brenye he gan lace,
So he scholde, i{n} to place.
Þo hyt þer to gan ten,
Ne durst hi{m} noma{n} sen. 768
Swerd he gan fonge;
Ne stod he nowt to lo{n}ge,

he sette sadel on stede,
wiþ armes he gon him shrede.
his brunie he con lace,
so he shulde, in to place. 766
his suerd he gon fonge; 769
ne stod he nout to longe. 770
to is suerd he gon teon; 767
ne durste non wel him seon. 768

[Headnote: _Horn takes leave of Rymenhild._]

[Sidenote: He tells her that her dream has come true,]

He ȝede forþ bliue
To Ryme{n}hild his wyue. 772
He sede, “le{m}man, derling,
Nu hauestu þi sweuening.
Þe fiss þ{a}t þi net rente,
Fram þe he me sente. 776
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]

And ȝyede forþ ricte
To reymyld þe bricte. 772
He seyde, “leman, de{r}ling,
Now hauestu þi meting.
Þe fys þi net to rente,
Fram þe he me sente. 776
Þe king gynneþ wiht me st{r}iue;
Awey he wole me driue.

[_No gap in MS._ . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
He seide, “lemmon, derlyng,
nou þou hauest þy sweuenyng.
þe fyssħ þ{a}t þyn net rende,
from þe me he sende. 776
þe kyng wiþ me gynneþ st{ri}ue;
a wey he wole me dryue.

[Sidenote: that he is going to an unknown country for seven years.]

Rymenhild, haue wel godne day,
No leng abiden ine may. 780
In to vncuþe londe,
Wel more for to fonde.
I schal wune þere
Fulle seue ȝere. 784

Reymyld, haue god day,
For nov ich founde awey, 780
In to onekuþ londe,
Wel more forto fonde.
Ich schal wony þere
Fulle seve ȝere. 784

þare fore haue nou godneday;
nou y mot fonnde {ant} fare away 780
In to vncouþe londe,
wel more forte fonde.
y shal wonie þere
fulle seue ȝere. 784

[Sidenote: He bids her not to await him longer than seven years.]

At seue ȝeres ende,
Ȝef ine come ne sende,
Tak þe husebo{n}de,
ffor me þu ne wo{n}de. 788
In armes þu me fonge,
{And} kes me wel longe.”

Ate vij ȝeres hende,
Bot ȝyf hy come oþer sende,
Tac þou hosebonde,
For me þat þou wonde. 788
I armes þou me fonge,
An kusse swiþe longe.”

at þe seueȝeres ende,
ȝyf y ne come ne sende,
tac þou hosebonde,
for me þ{a}t þou no wonde. 788
In armes þou me fonge,
ant cus me swyþe longe.”

[Sidenote: Rymenhild faints.]

He custe him wel a stunde,
{And} Rymenhild feol to grunde. 792
Horn tok his leue;
Ne miȝte he no le{n}g bileue.
He tok Aþulf, his fere,
Al abute þe swere, 796

He kusten one stunde,
And reymyld fel to gru{n}de. 792
Horn tok his leue,
For hyt was ney heue.
He nam ayol, trewe fere,
Al aboute þe swete, 796

hy custen hem a stounde,
{ant} rymenyld fel to grounde. 792
¶ Horn toc his leue;
he myhte nout byleue.
He toc Aþulf, is fere,
aboute þe swere, 796

[Sidenote: Horn entrusts his ‘new love’ to Athulf.]

{And} sede, “kniȝt so trewe,
Kep wel mi luue newe.
Þu neure me ne forsoke,
Rymenhild þu kep and loke.” 800
His stede he gan bist{ri}de,
{And} forþ he ga{n} ride.
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .] 804

And seyt, “knict so trewe,
Kep Mi leue wiue.
So þou me neu{er}e forsoke,
Reymyl kep and loke.” 800
++Horn gan stede by stride,
And forþ he gan ride.
Ayol wep wit heye,
And alle þat hym seye. 804

ant seide, “knyht so trewe,
kep wel loue newe.
þou neuer ne forsoke
rymenild to kepe ant loke.” 800
his stede he bigan stryde,
ant forþ he con hym ryde.
Aþulf wep wiþ eyȝen,
ant alle þat hit yseyȝen. 804

[Headnote: _Horn sets sail from West[er]nesse._]

[Sidenote: He sets sail.]

To þe hauene he ferde,
{And} a god schup he hurede,
Þ{a}t hi{m} scholde lo{n}de
In westene lo{n}de. 808
¶ Aþulf weop wiþ iȝe,
{And} al þ{a}t hi{m} isiȝe.

Horn chil forþ hym ferde;
A god schip he him herde,
Þat hym scholde wisse
Out of westnisse. 808
Þe whyȝt him gan sto{n}de,
And drof tyl hirelonde.

Horn forþ him ferde;
a god ship he him herde,
Þat him shulde passe
out of westnesse. 808
Þe wynd bigon to stonde,
ant drof hem vp o londe.

[Sidenote: Horn reaches land.]

To lo{n}d he hi{m} sette,
{And} fot o{n} stirop sette. 812

To londe he gan flette,
And out of schip him sette. 812

to londe þat hy fletten;
fot out of ship hy setten. 812

[Headnote: _Horn is received by Harild and Berild._]

[Sidenote: He meets two princes, Harild and Berild.]

He fo{n}d bi þe weie,
Kynges sones tweie;
Þ{a}t on hi{m} het harild,
{And} þ{a}t oþ{er} berild. 816
Berild gan him preie
Þ{a}t he scholde him seie
What his name were,
{And} what he wolde þere. 820

He mette by þe weye,
Kingges sones tweye;
Þat on was hoten ayld,
And þat oþer byrild. 816
Byrild him gan preye
Þat he scholde seye
Wat hys name were,
And qwat he wolde þere. 820

he fond bi þe weye,
kynges sones tueye;
Þ{a}t on wes hoten Aþyld,
ant þ{a}t oþer beryld. 816
beryld hym con preye
þat he shulde seye
what he wolde þere,
ant what ys nome were. 820

[Sidenote: He gives his name as Cutberd (Godmod),]

“Cutberd,” he sede, “ihc hote,
Icome{n} vt of þe bote,
Wel feor fram biweste,
To seche mine beste.” 824
Berild gan him nier ride,
{And} tok him bi þe bridel.
“Wel beo þu, kniȝt, ifounde;
Wiþ me þu lef a stunde. 828

“Cuberd,” he seyde, “ich hote,
Come{n} fram þe bote,
Fer fram bi weste,
To chesen mine beste.” 824
Byryld him gan ryde,
And tok hym by þe b{r}idel.
“Wel be þou, knict, her{e} founde;
Whyt me bileuest a stounde. 828

¶ “Godmod,” he seid, “ich hote,
ycomen out of þis bote,
wel fer from by weste,
to seche myne beste.” 824
beryld con ner him ryde,
ant toc hi{m} bi þe bridel.
“wel be þou, knyht, yfounde;
wiþ me þou lef a stounde. 828

[Sidenote: and is conducted by the princes before the king.]

Also mote i st{er}ue,
Þe ki{n}g þu schalt s{er}ue.
Ne saȝ i neure my lyue
So fair kniȝt aryue.” 832
Cutb{er}d heo ladde in to halle,
{And} he a kne gan falle.

So ich ne mote st{er}ue,
Þe kyng þou schal s{er}ue.
Ne sey ich neu{er}e on lyue
So fayr knyt aryue.” 832
Cub{er}t he ledde to halle,
And adoun gan falle.

also ich mote sterue,
þe kyng þou shalt serue.
ne seh y neuer a lyue
so feir knyht her aryue.” 832
godmod he ladde to halle,
ant he adoun gan falle,

[Sidenote: Cutberd greets the king.]

He sette him a knewelyng,
And grette wel þe gode kyng. 836

He sette hym on knewlyng,
And grette wel þe gode king. 836

[Sidenote: [leaf 88]]
Ant sette him a knelyng,
ant grette þene gode kyng. 836

[Sidenote: Berild asks that he be taken into the king’s service.]

Þa{n}ne sede Berild sone,
“Sire king, of him þu hast to done.
Bitak him þi lond to werie;
Ne schat hit noman derie, 840
For he is þe faireste man
Þ{a}t eureȝut on þi londe cam.”

Þo seyde byrild wel sone,
“Whit hym haue{n} to done.
Tak hym þi lond to werye;
Ne schal hym noma{n} derye. 840
He hys þe fayreste man
Þat eu{er}e in þis londe cam.”

þo saide beryld wel sone,
“kyng, wiþ him þou ast done.
þi lond tac hi{m} to werie;
ne shal þe nomon derye, 840
for he is þe feyreste man
þat euer in þis londe cam.”

[Headnote: _Horn enters the service of the king._]

[Sidenote: The king welcomes Cutberd.]

¶ Þa{n}ne sede þe ki{n}g so dere,
“Welcome beo þu here. 844
Go nu, Berild, swiþe,
{And} make him ful bliþe.
And whan þu farst to woȝe,
Tak him þine gloue. 848
Ime{n}t þu hauest to wyue,
Awai he schal þe dryue;
For Cutberdes fairhede
Ne schal þe neure wel spede.” 852

Þo seyde þe king so dere,
“Wel come be he here. 844
Go nov, byryld, swyþe,
An mak him glad and blyþe.
Wan þou farest awowen,
Tak hym þine glouen. 848
Þer þou hauest Mynt to wyue,
Awey he schal þe dryue.”
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]

¶ þo seide þe kyng wel dere,
“welcome þe þou here. 844
go, beryld, wel swyþe,
{ant} make hy{m} wel blyþe,
ant when þou farest to wowen,
tac him þine glouen. 848
þer þou hast munt to wyue,
a wey he shal þe dryue;
for godmodes feyrhede
shalt þou no wer spede.” 852

[Sidenote: At the Christmas feast a giant appears.]

++HIt was at Cristesmasse,
Neiþer more ne lasse,
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]

Hyt was at C{r}istesmesse,
Naþer more ne lesse.
Þe king hym makede a feste,
Wyt hyse knyctes beste. 856

hit wes at c{ri}stesmasse,
nouþer more ne lasse.
þe kyng made feste,
of his knyhtes beste. 856

[Headnote: _The giant’s challenge._]

[Sidenote: The giant proclaims a challenge.]

Þ{er} cam in at none,
A Geau{n}t suþe sone,
Iarmed fram paynyme,
And seide þes ryme:-- 860
“Site stille, sire kyng,
{And} herkne þis tyþyng.
Her buþ pae{n}s ariued,
Wel mo þane fiue. 864
Her beoþ on þe so{n}de,
Ki{n}g, vpon þi londe.

Þer com ate none,
A geaunt swiþe sone,
Armed of paynime,
And seyde i{n} hys rime, 860
“Syte, knytes, by þe king,
And lusteþ to my tydyng.
Her{e} beþ paynyms aryued,
Wel mo þa{n}ne fyue. 864
By þe se stronde,
Kyng, on þine lo{n}de.

þer com in at none,
a geaunt suyþe sone,
y-armed of paynyme,
ant seide þise ryme:-- 860
“Site, kyng, bi kynge,
ant herkne my tidynge
her bueþ paynes aryue,
wel more þen fyue. 864
her beþ vpon honde,
kyng, in þine londe.

[Sidenote: One pagan will fight any three in the land,]

On of he{m} wile fiȝte
Aȝe{n} þre kniȝtes. 868

One þer of wille ich fyȝte
Aȝen þi þre knyctes. 868

on þer of wol fyhte
to ȝeynes þre knyhtes. 868

[Sidenote: the combat to determine who shall possess the land.]

Ȝef oþ{er} þre slen vre,
Al þis lond beo ȝoure;
Ȝef vre on ouercomeþ ȝour þreo,
Al þis lo{n}d schal vre beo. 872
Tomoreȝe be þe fiȝti{n}ge,
Whan þe liȝt of daye sp{ri}nge.”

Ȝyf þat hour{e} felle þyne þre,
Al þis lond schal vre be;
Ȝyf þyne þre fellen houre,
Al þys lond þa{n}ne be ȝyure. 872
To morwe schal be þe fyȝtyng,
At þe so{n}ne op rysyng.”

ȝef oure þre sleh oure on,
we shulen of ore londe gon;
ȝef vre on sleh oure þre,
al þis lond shal vre be. 872
to morewe shal be þe fyhtynge,
at þe sonne vpsp{ri}nge.”

[Headnote: _Horn, Berild and Alrid accept it._]

[Sidenote: King Thurston names Cutberd (Godmod), Harild and Berild as the three defenders.]

¶ Þa{n}ne sede þe kyng þurston,
“Cutb{er}d schal beo þ{a}t on; 876
Berild schal beo þ{a}t oþer;
Þe þridde, Alrid, his broþer.
For hi beoþ þe strengeste,
{And} of armes þe beste. 880
Bute what schal vs to rede?
Ihc wene we beþ alle dede.”

Þo seyde þe king þurston,
“Cubert he schal be þat on, 876
Ayld chyld þat oþer,
Þe þrydde, byryld, hyse broþer.
Hye þre beþ þe strengeste,
And ín armes þe beste. 880
At wat schal do to rede?
Ich wene we ben alle dede.”

¶ þo seyde þe kyng þurston,
“godmod shal be þat on; 876
beryld shal be þat oþer;
þe þridde, Aþyld, is broþer.
for hue bueþ strongeste,
ant in armes þe beste. 880
ah, wat shal vs to rede?
y wene we bueþ dede.”

¶ Cutberd sat at borde,
And sede þes wordes:-- 884

Cubert set on borde,
And seyde þis worde:-- 884

Godmod set at borde,
ant seide þeose wordes:-- 884

[Sidenote: Cutberd says that it were shame for three Christians to fight against one pagan, and offers to fight alone.]

“Sire ki{n}g, hit nis no riȝte,
On wiþ þ{re} to fiȝte;
Aȝe{n} one hu{n}de,
Þre c{ri}ste{n} me{n} to fonde. 888
Sire, ischal al one,
Wiþute more ymone,
Wiþ mi swerd wel eþe
Bringe hem þre to deþe.” 892

“Syre kyȝeking, hyt no ryȝcte,
On wiþ þre to fyȝcte.
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .] 888
At wille ich alone,
With oute{n} ma{n}nes mone,
Mid my swerd wel heþe
Bringe{n} hem alle to deþe.” 892

“sire kyng, nis no ryhte,
on wiþ þre fyhte,
aȝeynes one hounde,
þre c{ri}stene to founde. 888
ah, kyng, y shal alone,
wiþ-oute more ymone,
wip my suerd ful eþe
bringen he{m} alle to deþe.” 892

[Headnote: _Preparations for the combat._]

[Sidenote: He arms himself,]

¶ Þe kyng aros amoreȝe,
Þ{a}t hadde muchel sorȝe;
{And} Cutb{er}d ros of bedde,
Wiþ armes he him schredde. 896
Horn his brunie gan on caste,
{And} lacede hit wel faste,

Þe kyng ros a morwe,
And hadde meche sorwe.
Cubert ros of bedde;
Wyt armes he hym schredde. 896
Hys brenye on he caste,
Lacede hyt wel faste.

þe kyng aros amorewe;
he hade muche sorewe.
godmod ros of bedde;
wiþ armes he him shredde. 896
his brunye he on caste,
{ant} knutte hit wel faste,

[Sidenote: visits the king,]

{And} ca{m} to þe ki{n}ge,
At his vp risinge. 900
“Ki{n}g,” he sede, “cu{m} to fel[de],
For to bihelde
Hu we fiȝte schulle,
{And} togare go wulle.” 904

He cam biforn þe godeking,
At hyse op rysyng. 900
He seyde, “king, com to felde,
Me for to by helde,
Hou we scholen fyȝte
And to gydere hus dyȝcte.” 904

ant com hi{m} to þe kynge,
at his vp rysynge. 900
“kyng,” quoþ he, “com to felde,
me forte byhelde,
hou we shule flyten
ant to gedere smiten.” 904

[Sidenote: and with him rides to the combat.]

Riȝt at p{ri}me tide,
Hi gu{n}ne{n} ut ride,
And fu{n}de{n} on a g{re}ne,
A geau{n}t suþe kene, 908
His fere{n} hi{m} biside,
Hore deþ to abide.

Ryȝt at p{r}ime tyde,
He go{n}ne hem out ryde.
He founden in a grene,
A geant swyþe kene, 908
Armed with swerd by side,
Þe day for to abyde.

¶ riht at p{ri}me tide,
hy gonnen out to ryde.
hy fonnden in a grene,
a geaunt swyþe kene, 908
his feren hi{m} biside,
þat day forto abyde.

[Headnote: _The fight begins._]

[Sidenote: Cutberd strikes so hard, that the giant asks for a breathing spell,]

¶ Þeilke bataille
Cutberd gan assaille. 912
He ȝaf de{n}tes inoȝe;
Þe kniȝtes felle iswoȝe.
His dent he gan wiþdraȝe,
For hi were neȝ aslaȝe. 916

Cubert him gan asayle;
Wolde he nawt fayle. 912
He keyte duntes ynowe;
Þe geant fel hy swowe.
Hys feren go{n}ne{n} hem wyt d{ra}we,
Þo here mayst{er} wa slawe. 916

Godmod hem gon asaylen;
nolde he nout faylen. 912
[Sidenote: [leaf 88, back]]
he ȝef duntes ynowe;
þe payen fel y swowe.
ys feren gonnen hem wiþ drawe,
for huere maister wes neh slawe. 916

[Sidenote: and says he has never before experienced such blows, save at the hand of King Murry.]

{And} sede, “kniȝtes, nu ȝe reste
One while, ef ȝou leste.”
Hi sede, “hi neure nadde
Of kniȝte dentes so harde. 920
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
He was of hornes ku{n}ne,
Iborn in suddenne.” 924

He seyden, “knyct þo reste
Awile ȝyf þe luste.
We neu{er}e ne hente
Of ma{n}[KH-3] so harde dunte, 920
Bute of þe king Mory,
Þat was so swyþe stordy.
He was of hornes kinne;
We slowe hym in sodenne.” 924

[Footnote KH-3: MS. adds ‘nes honde’ underdotted as a mistake.]

he seide, “knyht, þou reste
a whyle, ȝef þe leste.
y ne heuede ner of monnes hond
so harde duntes in non lond, 920
bote of þe kyng Murry,
þ{a}t wes swiþe sturdy.
he wes of hornes kenne;
y sloh him in sudenne.” 924

[Sidenote: Horn is enraged,]

¶ Horn hi{m} ga{n} to ag{ri}se,
{And} his blod arise.

Cuberd gan ag{r}ise,
And hys blod aryse.

¶ Godmod him gon agryse,
ant his blod aryse.

[Sidenote: and renews the fight.]

Biuo hi{m} saȝ he sto{n}de
Þ{a}t driue{n} hi{m} of lo{n}de, 928
{And} þ{a}t his fader sloȝ.
To hi{m} his swerd he droȝ.

By for hym he sey stonde
Þat drof hym out of londe, 928
And hys fad{er} aquelde.
He smot hym hond{er} schelde.

byforen him he seh stonde
þat drof him out of londe, 928
ant fader his a-quelde;
he smot him vnder shelde.

[Sidenote: Cutberd looks on his ring, then smites the giant through the heart.]

He lokede on his rynge,
{And} þoȝte on Rymenhilde. 932
He smot him þureȝ þe herte,
Þ{a}t sore him gan to smerte.
Þe paens þ{a}t er were so sturne,
Hi gu{n}ne awei vrne. 936

He lokede on hys gode ri{n}ge,
And þoute on reymyld þe ȝo{n}ge. 932
Myd gode dunt ate furste,
He smot hy{m} to þe herte.
Þe hondes go{n}ne{n} at erne
In to þe schypes sterne. 936

he lokede on is rynge,
ant þohte o rymenild þe ȝynge. 932
mid god suerd at þe furste,
he smot him þourh þe huerte.
þe payns bigonne to fleon,
ant to huere shype teon. 936

[Headnote: _Horn kills the Giant._]

[Sidenote: The pagans flee to their ship.]

Horn {and} his compaynye
Gu{n}ne aft{er} he{m} wel swiþe hiȝe,
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]

To schip he wolde{n} ȝerne,
And cubert he{m} gan werne,
And seyde, “kyng, so þou haue reste,
Clep nou forþ ofi þi beste, 940
And sle we þyse hounden,
Here we he{n}ne founden.”

to ship hue wolden erne;
godmod hem con werne.
[_No gap in MS._ . .
. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]

[Sidenote: The king’s sons are slain, but Cutberd annihilates the pagan host,]

[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
{And} sloȝen alle þe hundes,
Er hi here schipes funde.

Þe houndes hye of laucte,
An st{ro}kes hye þere kaute. 944
Faste aȝen hye stode,
Aȝen duntes gode.
Help nawht here wond{er};
Cubert hem broute al hond{er}. 948
He schedde of here blode,
And makede hem al wode.

þe kynges sones tweyne
þe paiens slowe beyne. 944
þo wes Godmod swyþe wo,
ant þe payens he smot so,
þ{a}t in a lutel stounde
þe paiens hy felle to grounde. 948
godmod ant is men
slowe þe payenes eueruchen.

[Headnote: _King Thurston’s two sons are slain._]

[Sidenote: thus avenging his father’s death.]

To deþe he he{m} alle broȝte;
His fader deþ wel dere hi boȝte. 952
Of alle þe kynges kniȝtes,
Ne scapede þer no wiȝte.
Bute his sones tweie
Bifore him he saȝ deie. 956

To deþe he hem browte,
Hys fad{er} deþ he bowten. 952
Of al þe kinges rowe,
Þer nas bute fewe slawe.
Bote hys sones tweye
By fore he sey deye. 956

his fader deþ {ant} ys lond
awrek godmod wiþ his hond. 952
[_No gap in MS._ . .
. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]

[Sidenote: The king mourns.]

Þe ki{n}g biga{n} to grete,
And teres for to lete.
Me leide{n} he{m} in bare,
{And} burde{n} he{m} ful ȝare. 960
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]

Þe king bi gan to grete,
And teres for to lete.
Men leyde{n} hem on bere,
And ledde he{m} wel þere 960
In to holy kyrke,
So man scholde werke.

þe kyng wiþ reuþful chere
lette leggen is sones on bere,
ant bringen hom to halle;
muche sorewe hue maden alle. 960
in a chirche of lym {an}t ston
me buriede hem wiþ ryche won.

[Headnote: _King Thurston offers Horn his kingdom._]

¶ Þe ki{n}g co{m} i{n} to halle,
Amo{n}g his kniȝtes alle. 964
“Horn,” he sede, “i seie þe,
Do as i schal rede þe.
Aslaȝe{n} beþ mine heirs,
{And} þu art kniȝt of muchel pris, 968
{And} of g{re}te st{re}ngþe,
{And} fair o bodie lengþe.

++Þe king cam hom to halle,
Among þe kniyctes alle. 964
“Do, cubert,” he seyde,
“As ich þe wolle rede.
Dede beþ myn heyres,
And þou þe boneyres, 968
And of grete strengþe,
Swete and fayr of lengþe.

¶ Þe kyng lette forþ calle
hise knyhtes alle, 964
ant seide, “godmod, ȝef þou nere,
alle ded we were,
[_No gap in MS._ . .
. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]

[Sidenote: He offers to make Horn (Cutberd) his heir,]

MiRe{n}gne þu schalt welde,
{And} to spuse helde 972
Reynild, mi doȝt{er},
Þ{a}t sitteþ on þe lofte.”

Mi reaume þou schalt helde,
And to spuse welde 972
Hermenyl, my dout{er},
Þat syt in bour{e} softe.”

[_No gap in MS._ . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
þou art boþe god {ant} feyr;
her y make þe myn heyr;
for my sones bueþ yflawe,
ant ybroht of lyfdawe. 976

[Sidenote: and to give him his daughter Reynild.]

¶ “O sire ki{n}g, wiþ wro{n}ge
Scholte ihc hit vnd{er}fo{n}ge. 976
Þi doȝter þ{a}t ȝe me bede,
Ower re{n}gne for to lede.
Welmore ihc schal þe serue,
Sire kyng, or þu sterue. 980
Þi sorwe schal wende
Or seue ȝeres ende.

He seyde, “king, wit wronge
Scholde ich hire hond{er} fonge, 976
Þing þat þou me bede,
And þy reaume lede.
At more ich wile þe s{er}ue,
And fro sorwe þe berwe. 980
Þy sorwe hyt schal wende
Her þis seue ȝeres hende.

dohter ich habbe one;
nys non so feyr of blod ant bone.
[KH-5](Ermenild, þat feyre may,
bryht so eny someres day,) 980
hire wolle ich ȝeue þe,
ant her kyng shalt þou be.”

[Footnote KH-5: This line was at first left out by the scribe,
and then written in the margin of the MS.]

[Sidenote: Cutberd declines, but offers to continue in the king’s service.]

Wanne hit is wente,
Sire ki{n}g, ȝef me mi rente. 984
Wha{n}ne i þi doȝter ȝerne,
Ne schaltu me hire werne.”

And wa{n}ne he beþ wente,
Kyng, ȝyf þou me my re{n}te. 984
Wan ich þi dout{er} h{er}ne,
Ne schalt þou hire me werne.”

he seyde, “more ichul þe serue,
kyng, er þen þou sterue. 984
when y þy dohter ȝerne,
heo ne shal me noþyng werne.”

[Sidenote: During seven years he does not communicate with Rymenhild.]

Cutb{er}d wonede þere
Fulle seue ȝere, 988
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
Þ{a}t to Rymenild he ne sente,
Ne him self ne wente. 992
Rymenild was in West{er}nesse,
Wiþ wel muchel sorinesse.

++Horn child wonede þere
fulle sixe yere. 988
Þe seuenþe, þat cam þe nexte
Aft{er} þe sexte,[KH-4]
To reymyld he ne we{n}de,
Ne to hyr{e} sende. 992
Reymyld was i{n} westnesse,
Myd michel sorwenesse.

[Footnote KH-4: MS. adds ‘yeres hende’ underdotted as a mistake.]

¶ godmod wonede þere
fulle six ȝere; 988
[_No gap in MS._ . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
ant þe seueþe ȝer bygon;
to rymynyld, sonde ne sende he non. 992
rymenyld wes in westnesse,
wiþ muchel sorewenesse.

[Headnote: _A king sues for Rymenhild._]

[Sidenote: A king sues for Rymenhild.]

¶ A king þ{er} gan ariue
Þ{a}t wolde hire haue to wyue. 996
Aton he was wiþ þe ki{n}g,
Of þ{a}t ilke weddi{n}g.
Þe daies were schorte,
Þ{a}t Rimi{n}hild ne dorste 1000
Lete{n} i{n} none wise.
A writ he dude deuise;

A kyng þer was aryuede
Þat wolde hyre habbe to wyue. 996
At sone ware þe kynges
Of hyre weddinges.
Þe dawes weren schorte,
And reymyld ne dorste 1000
Lette in none wise.
A writ he dede deuise;

a kyng þer wes aryue,
ant wolde hyre han to wyue. 996
at one were þe kynges,
of þ{a}t weddynge.
þe dayes were so sherte,
ant rymenild ne derste 1000
latten on none wyse.
a wryt hue dude deuyse;

[Sidenote: Athulf writes a letter to Horn.]

Aþulf hit dude write,
Þ{a}t horn ne luuede noȝt lite. 1004
Heo se{n}de hire so{n}de
To eu{er}eche londe,
To seche horn, þe kniȝt,
Þ{er} me hi{m} fi{n}de miȝte. 1008

Ayol hyt dide write,
Þat horn ne louede nawt lite. 1004
And to eu{er}yche londe,
For horn hym was so longe,
Aft{er} horn þe knycte,
For þat he ne Myȝte. 1008

Aþulf hit dude wryte,
þ{a}t horn ne louede nout lyte. 1004
hue sende hire sonde
in to eueruche londe,
to sechen horn knyhte,
whe so er me myhte. 1008

[Headnote: _Horn meets Rymenhild’s messenger._]

[Sidenote: Horn, while hunting, meets a page, who says that he is seeking Horn,]

Horn noȝt þ{er} of ne herde,
Til, o dai þ{a}t he ferde
To wude for to schete,
A knaue he gan imete. 1012
Horn sede{n}, “Leue fere,
Wat sechestu here?”
“Kniȝt, if beo þi wille,
I mai þe sone telle. 1016
I seche fra{m} biweste,
Horn of west{er}nesse,

Horn þer of ne þoute,
Tyl, on a day þat he ferde
To wode for to seche,
A page he gan mete. 1012
He seyde, “leue fere,
Wat sekest þou here?”
“Knyt, feyr of felle,”
Qwat þe page, “y wole þe telle. 1016
Ich seke fram westnesse,
Horn, knyt of estnesse,

Horn þer of nout herde,
til, o day þ{a}t he ferde
to wode forte shete,
a page he gan mete. 1012
Horn seide, “leue fere,
whet dest þou nou here?”
[Sidenote: [leaf 89]]
“Sire, in lutel spelle
y may þe sone telle. 1016
Ich seche from westnesse,
horn, knyht, of estnesse,

[Sidenote: and that Rymenhild is to marry King Mody of Reynes, on Sunday.]

For a Maiden Rymenhild
Þ{a}t for him gan wexe wild. 1020
A ki{n}g hire wile wedde,
{And} bri{n}ge to his bedde,
Ki{n}g Modi of Reynes,
On of hornes enemis. 1024
Ihc habbe walke wide
Bi þe se side,

For þe mayde reymyld,
Þat for hym ney waxeþ wild. 1020
A kyng hire schal wedde,
A soneday to bedde,
Kyng mody of reny,
Þat was hornes enemy. 1024
Ich haue walked wide
By þe se syde.

For rymenild, þ{a}t feyre may,
soreweþ for him nyht {ant} day. 1020
A kyng hire shal wedde,
a sonneday to bedde,
Kyng Mody of reynis,
þ{a}t is hornes enimis. 1024
ich habbe walked wyde
by þe see side.

[Sidenote: The messenger laments that he cannot find Horn.]

[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .] 1028
Nis he no war ifu{n}de,
Walawai þe stu{n}de.
Wailaway þe while,
Nu wurþ Rymenild bigiled.” 1032
Horn iherde wiþ his ires,
{And} spak wiþ bidere tires,

Ich neu{er}e myȝt of reche
Whit no londisse speche. 1028
Nis he nower founde,
A weylawey þe stounde.
Reymyld worþ by gile,
Weylawey þe wile.” 1032
Horn hyt herde with eren,
And wep with blody teren.

ne mihte ich hi{m} neuer cleche,
wiþ nones kunnes speche, 1028
ne may ich of him here
in londe fer no nere.
weylawey þe while,
him may hente gyle.” 1032
¶ Horn hit herde wiþ earen,
ant spec wiþ wete tearen,

[Sidenote: Horn discloses his identity, and sends word to Rymenhild that he will come Sunday before ‘prime.’]

“Knaue, wel þe bitide,
Horn sto{n}dep þe biside. 1036
Aȝe{n} to hure þu turne,
{And} seie þat heo ne murne,
For ischal beo þ{er} bitime,
A soneday bi pryme.” 1040
Þe knaue was wel bliþe,
{And} hiȝede aȝen bliue.
Þe se bigan to þroȝe
Vnder hire woȝe. 1044

“So wel þe, grom, by tide,
Horn stant by þy syde. 1036
Aȝen to reymyld turne,
And sey þat he ne morne.
Ich schal ben þer by tyime,
A soneday by p{r}ime.” 1040
Þe page was blyþe,
And schepede wel swyþe.
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .] 1044

“So wel, grom, þe bitide,
horn stond by þi syde, 1036
aȝeyn to rymenild turne,
{ant} sey þat hue ne murne.
y shal be þer bi time,
a sonneday er p{ri}me.” 1040
þe page wes wel blyþe
{ant} shipede wel suyþe.
[_No gap in MS._ . .
. . . . . . . . . .] 1044

[Headnote: _The messenger on his return journey is drowned._]

[Sidenote: The messenger is drowned, and Rymenhild looks for him in vain.]

Þe knaue þer gan adrinke;
Ryme{n}hild hit miȝte of þi{n}ke.
Ryme{n}hild vndude þe dure pin
Of þe hus þ{er} heo was in, 1048
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]

Þe se hym gan to drenche;
Reymyld hyt Myȝt of þinche.
Þe se hym gan op þrowe,
Hond{er} hire boures wowe. 1048
Reymyld gan dore vn pynne,
Of boure þat he was ynne,

þe see him gon adrynke;
þ{a}t rymenil may of þinke.
þe [see] him con ded þrowe
vnder hire chambre wowe. 1048
rymenild lokede wide
by þe see syde,

[Sidenote: Rymenhild grieves when she finds the drowned messenger.]

To loke wiþ hire iȝe,
If heo oȝt of horn isiȝe. 1052
Þo fo{n}d heo þe knaue adrent
Þ{a}t he hadde for horn ise{n}t,
{And} þ{a}t scholde horn bringe;
Hire fingres he gan wri{n}ge. 1056

And lokede forþ riȝcte
Aft{er} horn þe knyte. 1052
Þo fond hye hir{e} sonde
Drenched by þe stronde,
Þat scholde horn bringe;
Hyre fingres hye gan wringe. 1056

ȝef heo seȝe horn come,
oþer tidynge of eny gome. 1052
þo fond hue hire sonde
adronque by þe stronde,
þat shulde horn brynge;
hire hondes gon hue wrynge. 1056

[Headnote: _Horn asks King Thurston’s aid._]

[Sidenote: Horn discloses his identity to King Thurston]

¶ Horn cam to þurston þe kyng,
{And} tolde him þis tiþing.
Þo he was iknowe
Þ{a}t Rim{en}h[ild] was hise oȝe, 1060
Of his gode ke{n}ne,
Þe ki{n}g of suddenne,
{And} hu he sloȝ in felde
Þ{a}t his fader q{ue}lde, 1064

Horn cam to þurston þe kinge,
And telde hym hys tydinge.
So he was by cnowe
Þat reymyld was his owe. 1060
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .] 1064

¶ Horn com to þurston þe kynge,
ant tolde him þes tidynge.
ant þo he was biknowe,
þat rymenild wes ys owe, 1060
ant of his gode kenne,
þe kyng of sudenne,
ant hou he sloh afelde
hi{m} þ{a}t is fader aquelde, 1064

[Sidenote: and asks his pay and also aid to win Rymenhild.]

And seide, “ki{n}g þe wise,
Ȝeld me mi s{er}uise.
Ryme{n}hild help me wi{n}ne;
Þ{a}t þu noȝt ne li{n}ne, 1068

He seyde, “kyng so wise,
Ȝeld me my seruyse.
Reymyld me help to wi{n}ne;
Þat þou ich nowt ne lynne, 1068

ant seide, “kyng so wyse,
ȝeld me my seruice.
rymenild, help me to wynne,
swyþe þ{a}t þou ne blynne, 1068

[Sidenote: He promises that Athulf shall marry Thurston’s daughter.]

{And} ischal do to spuse
Þi doȝt{er} wel to huse.
Heo schal to spuse haue
Aþulf, mi gode felaȝe, 1072
God kniȝt mid þe beste,
{And} þe t{re}weste.”

And hy schal to house
Þy dout{er} do wel spuse.
He schal to spuse haue
Ayol, My trewe felawe, 1072
He hys knyt wyt þe beste,
And on of þe treweste.”

ant y shal do to house
þy dohter wel to spouse,
for hue shal to spouse haue
Aþulf, my gode felawe. 1072
he is knyht mid þe beste,
{ant} on of þe treweste.”

[Sidenote: The king consents.]

Þe ki{n}g sede so stille,
“Horn, haue nu þi wille.” 1076

Þo seyde þe kyng so stille,
“Horn, do þine wille.” 1076

þe kyng seide so stille,
“horn, do al þi wille.” 1076

[Sidenote: Horn levies men, and sets sail.]

He dude writes se{n}de
Into yrlonde,
Aft{er} kniȝtes liȝte,
Irisse men to fiȝte. 1080
To horn come inoȝe,
Þ{a}t to schupe droȝe.
Horn dude him in þe weie,
On a god Galeie. 1084
Þe him gan to blowe
In alitel þroȝe.

++Horn se{n}te hys sonde
In to eu{er}yche londe,
After men to fyȝte,
Hyrische men so wyȝte, 1080
To hym were come hy nowe,
Þat in to schipe drowe.
Horn tok hys p{re}ye.
And dude hi{m} in hys weye. 1084
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]

he sende þo by sonde,
ȝend al is londe,
after knyhtes to fyhte,
þ{a}t were men so lyhte. 1080
to him come ynowe,
þ{a}t in to shipe drowe.
¶ Horn dude hi{m} in þe weye,
in a gret galeye. 1084
þe wynd bigon to blowe
in a lutel þrowe.

[Headnote: _Horn arrives at the latest possible moment._]

[Sidenote: He arrives after the bells for the wedding have been rung.]

Þe se bigan to posse
Riȝt i{n} to West{er}nesse. 1088
Hi st{ri}ke seil {and} maste,
{And} Ankere gu{n}ne caste,
Or eny day was spru{n}ge
Oþ{er} belle iru{n}ge. 1092
Þe word bigan to sp{ri}nge
Of Ryme{n}hilde weddi{n}ge.
Horn was i{n} þe wat{er}e;
Ne miȝte he come no lat{er}e. 1096

Here scyp gan forþ seyle,
Þe wynd hym nolde fayle. 1088
He striken seyl of maste,
And anker he go{n}ne kaste.
Þe soneday was hy sp[ronge],
And þe messe hy songe, 1092
Of reymylde þe ȝonge,
And of mody þe kinge;
And horn was i{n} wat{er}e;
Myȝt he come no lat{er}e. 1096

þe see bi-gan wiþ ship to gon,
to westnesse he{m} brohte anon. 1088
hue st{ri}ken seyl of maste,
ant ancre gonnen caste.
matynes were yronge
{ant} þe masse ysonge, 1092
of rymenild þe ȝynge
{ant} of Mody þe kynge,
ant horn wes in watere;
ne mihte he come no latere. 1096

[Sidenote: He leaves his ship, and comes to land.]

He let his schup sto{n}de,
{And} ȝede to londe.
His folk he dude abide
Vnder wude side. 1100

He let scyp stonde,
And ȝede hym op to londe.
Hys folc he dide abyde
Hond{er} þe wode syde. 1100

He let is ship stonde,
ant com hi{m} vp to londe.
His folk he made abyde
vnder a wode syde. 1100

[Headnote: _Horn meets a Palmer._]

[Sidenote: Horn sets forth alone, and meets a palmer,]

Hor[n] him ȝede alone,
also he spru{n}ge of stone.
A palm{er}e he þar mette,
{And} faire hine grette. 1104
“Palm{er}e, þu schalt me telle
Al of þine spelle.”
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]

He wende forþ alone,
So he were spronge of stone.
A palmere he mette;
Wyt worde he hym g{r}ette, 1104
“Palm{er}e, þou schalt me telle,”
He seyde, “on þine spelle,
So brouke þou þi croune,
Wi comest þou fram toune?” 1108

[Sidenote: [leaf 89, back]]
¶ Horn eode forh al one,
so he sprong of þe stone.
on palmere he y-mette,
{ant} wiþ wordes hyne grette, 1104
“palmere, þou shalt me telle,”
he seyde, “of þine spelle,
so brouke þou þi croune,
why comest þou from toune?” 1108

[Sidenote: who tells him of the wedding]

He sede vpon his tale,
“I come fram o brudale,
Ihc was at o weddi{n}g
Of a Maide Ryme{n}hild. 1112
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]

Þe palmere seyde on hys tale,
“Hy com fram on bridale.
Ich com fram b{r}ode hylde
Of Mayden reymylde. 1112
Fram hond{er} chyrche wowe,
Þe gan louerd owe,

ant he seide on is tale,
“y come from a brudale,
from brudale wylde
of maide remenylde. 1112
[_No gap in MS._ . .
. . . . . . . . . .]

[Sidenote: and of Rymenhild’s grief.]

Ne miȝte heo adriȝe
Þ{a}t heo ne weop wiþ iȝe. 1116
Heo sede þ{a}t ‘heo nolde
Ben ispused wiþ golde;
Heo hadde on husebonde,
Þeȝ he were vt of lo{n}de.’ 1120

Ne miyȝte hye hyt dreye
Þat hye wep wyt eye. 1116
He seyde þat ‘hye nolde
Be spoused Myd golde;
Hye hadde hosebonde,
Þey be nere nawt in londe.’ 1120

ne mihte hue nout dreȝe
þ{a}t hue ne wep wiþ eȝe. 1116
hue seide, ‘þ{a}t hue nolde
be spoused wiþ golde;
hue hade hosebonde
þah he were out of londe.’ 1120

{And} i{n} st{ro}ng halle,
Biþinne castel walle,
Þ{er} iwas atte ȝate;
Nolde hi me in late. 1124
Modi ihote hadde
To bure þ{a}t me hire ladde.
Awai igan glide;
Þ{a}t deol inolde abide. 1128
Þe bride wepeþ sore,
{And} þ{a}t is muche deole!”

Mody Myd strencþe hyre hadde,
And in to toure ladde,
Into a stronge halle,
Whit inne kastel walle. 1124
Þer ich was attegate;
Moste ich nawt in rake.
Awey ich gan glyde;
Þe deþ ich nolde abyde. 1128
Þer worþ a rewlich dole,
Þer þe bryd wepeþ sore.”

ich wes in þe halle,
wiþ-inne þe castel walle.
[_No gap in MS._ . .
. . . . . . . . . . 1124
. . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]
a wey y gon glide;
þe dole y nolde abyde. 1128
þer worþ a dole reuly;
þe brude wepeþ bitterly.”

[Headnote: _Horn exchanges clothes with the Palmer._]

[Sidenote: Horn changes clothes with the palmer,]

¶ Quaþ horn, “So c{ri}st me rede,
We schulle chau{n}gi wede. 1132
Haue her cloþes myne,
{And} tak me þi sclauyne.
Today i schal þer drinke,
Þ{a}t some hit schulle ofþinke.” 1136
His sclauyn he dude dun legge,
{And} tok hit on his rigge.
He tok horn his cloþes,
Þ{a}t nere him noȝt loþe. 1140

“Palm{er}e,” qwad horn, “so god me rede
Ich and þou wille{n} chaunge{n} wede. 1132
Tac þou me þi sclauyne,
And haue þou cloþes myne.
To day ich schal þer{e} drynke;
Som man hyt schal of þinke.” 1136
Þe sclavyn he gan doun legge,
And horn hyt dide on rigge.
Þe palmere tok hys cloþes,
Þat ne were{n} hym nowt loþe. 1140

quoþ horn, “so c{ri}st me rede,
we wolleþ chaunge wede. 1132
tac þou robe myne,
ant ȝe sclaueyn þyne.
to day y shal þer drynke,
þat summe hit shal of-þynke.” 1136
sclaueyn he gon doun legge,
{ant} horn hit dude on rugge,
ant toc hornes cloþes,
þat nout him were loþe. 1140

[Sidenote: and blackens his face and neck with coal.]

Horn tok burdon {and} scrippe,
{And} wro{n}g his lippe.
He makede him a ful chere,
{And} al bicolmede his swere. 1144
He makede hi{m} vn bicomelich;
Hes he nas neuremore ilich.

++Horn toc burdoun and sc{r}ippe,
And gan wringe hys lippe.
He makede a foul cher{e},
And kewede hys swere. 1144
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]

¶ Horn toc bordoun {ant} sc{ri}ppe,
ant gan to wrynge is lippe.
he made foule ch{er}e,
{ant} bicollede is swere. 1144
[_No gap in MS._ . .
. . . . . . . . . .]

[Sidenote: The gate-keeper forbids Horn entrance.]

¶ He co{m} to þe gateward,
Þ{a}t hi{m} answerede hard. 1148
Horn bad undo softe,
Mani tyme {and} ofte.
Ne miȝte he awynne
Þ{a}t he come þ{e}rinne. 1152

He cam to þe gateward,
Þat hym answered hard. 1148
He bed on do wel softe,
Fele syþe and ofte.
Myȝte he nowt wynne
For to come þeri{n}ne. 1152

he com to þe ȝateward,
þ{a}t him onsuerede froward. 1148
horn bed vn-do wel softe,
moni tyme ant ofte.
ne myhte he ywynne
forto come þer-ynne. 1152

[Headnote: _Horn enters the hall, and sits with the beggars._]

[Sidenote: Horn breaks through the wicket, after having thrown the gate-keeper over the bridge.]

Horn gan to þe ȝate turne,
{And} þ{a}t wiket vnspurne.
Þe boye hit scholde abugge;
Horn þreu him ouer þe brigge, 1156
Þ{a}t his ribbes him to brake;
{And} suþþe com in atte gate.
He sette him wel loȝe,
In begg{er}es rowe. 1160
He lokede him abute,
Wiþ his colmie snute.

Horn gan to þe yate turne,
And þe wyket op spurne.
Þe porter hyt scholde abygg{e};
He pugde hym ofer þe b{r}igg{e}, 1156
Þat hys ribbes go{n}nen krake;
And horn i{n}to halle rake.
He sette hym wel lowe,
In beggeres rowe. 1160
He loked al aboute,
Mid hys kelwe snowte.

horn þe wyket puste,
þat hit open fluste.
þe porter shulde abugge;
he þrew him a-doun þe brugge, 1156
þat þre ribbes crakede.
horn to halle rakede,
ant sette him doun wel lowe,
in þe beggeres rowe. 1160
he lokede aboute,
myd is collede snoute.

[Sidenote: He sees Rymenhild weeping, but looks in vain for Athulf.]

He seȝ Ryme{n}hild sitte
Ase heo were of witte, 1164
Sore wepinge {and} ȝerne;
Ne miȝte hure noman wurne.
He lokede in eche halke;
Ne seȝ he nowhar walke 1168
Aþulf his felawe,
Þ{a}t he cuþe knowe.

He sey Reymyld sytte
Al so hy were of witte, 1164
Wyt droupnynde chere,
Þat was hys le{m}ma{n} dere.
He lokede in eche halke;
Sey he nowere stalke 1168
Ayol hys trewe felawe,
Þat trewe was and ful of lawe.

þer seh he rymenild sitte
ase hue were out of wytte, 1164
wepinde sore;
ah he seh nower þore
[_No gap in MS._ . .
. . . . . . . . . .] 1168
Aþulf is gode felawe,
þat trewe wes in vch plawe.

[Headnote: _Athulf despairs of Horn’s coming._]

[Sidenote: Athulf from the tower watches in vain for Horn.]

Aþulf was i{n} þe ture,
Abute for to pure 1172
Aft{er} his comynge,
Ȝef schup hi{m} wolde bri{n}ge.
He seȝ þe se flowe,
{And} horn nowar rowe. 1176

Ayol was op i{n} tour{e},
Aboute for to pour{e} 1172
Aft{er} hornes cominge,
Ȝyf wat{er} hym wolde bringe.
Þe se he sey flowe,
And horn nower rowe. 1176

¶ Apulf wes o tour ful heh,
to loke fer {ant} eke neh 1172
after hornes comynge,
ȝef water him wolde brynge.
þe see he seh flowe,
ah horn nower rowe. 1176

[Sidenote: In his soliloquy he says that Horn will be too late.]

He sede vpon his songe,
“Horn, nu þu ert wel longe.
Ryme{n}hild þu me toke,
Þ{a}t i scholde loke. 1180
Ihc habbe kept hure eure;
Com nu oþer neure.
I ne may no le{n}g hure kepe;
For soreȝe nu y wepe.” 1184

He seyde in hys songe,
“Horn, þou art to longe.
Reymyld þou me by toke,
Þat ich hyr{e} scholde loke. 1180
Ich haue hi{r}e yloked eu{er}e,
And þou ne comest neu{er}e.”
[_No gap in MS._ . . . .
. . . . . . . . . .]